Fort Lauderdale, FL Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Section
- ULDR Sec. 47-19.7 (Home occupation)
- Use Type
- Accessory use to residential
- Max Floor Area
- 1/4 of one floor of principal structure
- State Zoning Rule
- Fla. Stat. 559.955(2)(a), (3)(d)
- Accessory Building
- Not allowed (no use in accessory/secondary building)
Summary
Fort Lauderdale's Unified Land Development Code Sec. 47-19.7 permits a home occupation as an accessory use to any residential use, so long as it is subordinate to the dwelling's residential use, is carried on only by residents, occupies no more than one-quarter of one floor, and generates no nonresident traffic. Florida Statute 559.955 independently guarantees that a qualifying home-based business may operate in residentially zoned areas.
559.955 Home-based businesses; local government restrictions.-(1) Local governments may not enact or enforce any ordinance, regulation, or policy or take any action to license or otherwise regulate a home-based business in violation of this section. (2) A home-based business that operates from a residential property as provided in subsection (3): (a) May operate in an area zoned for residential use. (b) May not be prohibited, restricted, regulated, or licensed in a manner that is different from other businesses in a local government's jurisdiction, except as otherwise provided in this section. (c) Is only subject to applicable business taxes under chapter 205 in the county and municipality in which the home-based business is located. (3) For purposes of this section, a business is considered a home-based business if it operates, in whole or in part, from a residential property and meets the following criteria: (a) The employees of the business who work at the residential dwelling must also reside in the residential dwelling, except that up to a total of two employees or independent contractors who do not reside at the residential dwelling may work at the business. The business may have additional remote employees that do not work at the residential dwelling. ... (d) The activities of the home-based business are secondary to the property's use as a residential dwelling.
Full Breakdown
Under ULDR Sec. 955, which preempts cities from prohibiting home-based businesses outright. 955(3)(d) requires that 'the activities of the home-based business are secondary to the property's use as a residential dwelling': language that mirrors the city's subordinate-use requirement. The state law also permits up to two on-site nonresident employees, which may be broader than the city's residents-only text; where the two conflict, the state preemption controls for businesses meeting the statutory criteria.
Violations & Fines
A home occupation that exceeds the Sec. 47-19.7 standards loses its status as a permitted accessory use and becomes a zoning violation enforceable under Chapter 47 and the city's code-compliance process, which can include notices of violation, administrative citations, and orders to cease the unpermitted use. A home-based business that meets the Florida Statute 559.955 criteria may challenge any city action that violates the statute and recover attorney fees if it prevails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a home occupation allowed in Fort Lauderdale residential zones?
How much of my home can the business use?
Can I have employees who don't live with me?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Lauderdale
How Fort Lauderdale compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Fort Lauderdale to another location·View the Florida home business overview
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